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Best 20 free things to do in Inverness, these are fab alternatives for your holiday in Inverness and the surrounding area, updated for 2026. You can spend a day, pack a picnic and make the most of your time without spending unnecessarily. Remember some of these locations it’s worth staying the day and enjoy a fabulous sunset! Remember best of all the views are FREE!
Explore the Highland Landscape for Free
Best 20 Free Things To Do in Inverness, Inverness is surrounded by nature, the beautiful and breathtaking landscape of the Highlands; from hills to Lochs, Rivers and the Coast. There is so much to see and do for FREE out and about in Inverness and the surrounding area! ,
Loch Ness
One of the star attractions in the Highlands and it doesn’t cost anything to stroll the shoreline of this majestic Loch. There are lots of walks eg Abriachan Forest on the North side, which is fun for all the family or Visit the Falls of Foyers on the South Side best of all these are free, just remember your packed lunch!
Botanical Gardens
the Botanic Gardens Floral Hall, Gardens and Coffee Shop is a unique visitor attraction and boasts Scotlands Top Free Visitor attraction. It offers a tranquil break amidst beautiful floral displays. Opened in 1993 it has been inspiring local gardeners and visitors from all over the world ever since. Well worth a visit and short walk along the River Ness from the Palace Hotel & Spa. Entry is free a small donation would be appreciated.
Abriachan Forest
Abriachan Trails is a longer walk of 5.5 miles, however there are shortcuts that can be taken for little legs! Near the start there are toilets, a picnic area and lots of information on different trails. Not long into the walk you’ll find children’s play fort near a reconstructed bronze age hut. There is also a dragonfly pond close by! When you reach the top of Carn na Leitire you will greeted by absolutely stunning views.
For some more inspiration for walks in and around Inverness see Walk Highlands.
Ness Islands
Just a short walk away from the Palace Hotel, Ness Islands are ideal for a short, easy stroll. The pretty Ness Islands, smack-dab in the middle of the River Ness. Marvel at the beautiful colours of the trees and bushes while listening to the soothing sounds of the River Ness. At night the islands are lit up by traditional street lamps, multicoloured string lights and spotlights creating mystical shadows. The walk is only 2 miles long and consists of concrete paths.
Walking around both islands makes for an approximately 3-mile walk that takes about an hour to complete, though you can shorten it easily by being tactical about where you cross bridges. You can also combine your walk with a visit to the nearby Whin Park or extend your walk or bike ride along the Caledonian Canal.
Dolphin Spotting @ Chanonry Point
Chanonry Point on the Black Isle is renowned for being one of the best Dolphin watching places in the Highlands. You can see them from the shore, enjoy a paddle, take in the fabulous light house and relax with a great sea view! Great beaches close by too! The waters around the Moray coast attract a huge variety of Sea-life not easily spotted elsewhere in the country. If you want to have your feet on dry land then take a trip to Chanonry Point. People come from all over to spot Porpoises, Dolphins and Seals and occasionally whales. Dolphins are resident in this area approximately 130 Bottlenose Dolohins living in the Moray Firth. In Spring Summer they are hunting for migrating Salmon. Try and visit at low tide, about an hour after low tide. You will have 2 good opportunities per day to spot one of these magnificent creatures. Sometimes you may be lucky and see Minke Wales or Orca (Killer Wales). Pack a picnic and you can see some amazing sea-life from the comfort of the beach.
Craig Phadrig
This forested hill is situated on the western side of Inverness, offering a gently ascending walk through the woodlands up to the treeless, grassy hilltop. This is was once an Iron Age Fort, potentially built atop the remnants of an ancient volcano, and later acted as the headquarters of a powerful Pictish King. Only the earthworks remain visible to this day, but they act as a powerful reminder of past civilisations.
But perhaps the best thing about climbing Craig Phadrig are the amazing views it offers across the Beauly Firth and Inverness itself. Forestry and Land Scotland has two recommended routes up the hill, both of which take about an hour.
Merkinch Nature Reserve
Is only 10 minutes in the car from the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa considerably closer than Chanonry point. Located just between the mouth of the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal is a wildlife hidden gem. An area full of wild life with roe deer, owls, weasels, herons, cormorants and wading birds of various descriptions. If you’re lucky you may spot the kingfishers at the Muirtown pools. Even the occasional Osprey can be seen visiting the area. It is also an excellent spot for spotting bottlenose dolphins.
Culloden Woodland and Battle Field Trail
The trial is a circular 4.5 km trail. You can explore the wider story of Culloden, the trail links Culloden Wood, Culloden Battlefield and the Cumberland Stone with local communities, fields and forests. There are two starting points, Culloden Wood car park or Culloden Battlefield car park.
Take the trail and you will discover many local highlights including the Prisoners’ Stone where British Government troops shot 17 Jacobite prisoners the day after the battle ( the stone is a mile south of Culloden House a large irregular boulder); the Lord President’s Seat is a stone dedicated to the local laird Duncan Forbes of Culloden House who supported the British Government in the 18th century but pleaded for humane treatment of the Jacobites after the Battle of Culloden; St Mary’s Well, a local “clootie well”, which translates as an ancient healing well; and Cumberland’s Stone, where it is said that the Duke of Cumberland may have had breakfast or lunch on the table-flat top of the boulder on the day of the battle. The trail is well sign posted with lots of helpful information panels along the route.
Top Tip – choose comfy and solid footwear, although it is a wide path the surface can be steep, uneven and muddy.
Free Fun Things to Do With the Kids in Inverness
Inverness is a gem of a city and it celebrates it’s green spaces & fresh air. Plenty of fun walks and fab adventure playgrounds for the kids. Inverness is close to the coast and we have some super recommendations for those beach days out, just pack your picnic.
Whin Park
Only a few minutes walk from the Ness Islands you’ll find Whin Park. The park has 4 adventure playgrounds, with climbing structures and slides. Perfect for burning up all that excess energy! Good news the adventure playground is free, however for a small £2.50 fee you can also ride the miniature railway or have a paddle around the lake in one of the boats (£6) however is free is the key word you can still enjoy a visit with the ducks! Plus there are toilets and plenty of picnic tables, so you can make it a longer visit!
Beach Days
There are many fantastic natural open spaces around Inverness just waiting for you to enjoy! The beautiful beaches below are just a short car journey to Nairn. You can enjoy a walk along the beach, take a Palace Hotel picnic; there is more than enough space to socially distance here! Crowd free, silver sands just waiting for you! More about Beaches link to our Beach information.
Loch Ness Monster Spotting
Take trip to the head of the Loch at Dores and you will meet a very interesting man Called Steve Feltham who has spent 30 years Nessie Spotting. Steve makes and sells souvenirs which you can purchase. In front of his Caravan there is a pebbly beach great for the kids, a chance to stretch their legs and skim some stones!
Caledonian Canal
You can walk to the Caledonian Canal from the Inverness Palace Hotel or you can make the short drive to Dochgarroch. If you are on foot or in the car there are stunning views and great spots for that super sunset picture. If you want a coffee, cake or lunch you can dine at AnTalla by Loch Ness. Feeling like treating yourself to a paid adventure then you can board a cruise down Loch Ness or even a Beastie Boat!
Free Culture & Shopping Things To Do in Inverness
You can explore the city and take in historic local markets without spending!
Victorian Market
As the Royal burgh of Inverness grew particularly in the 19th century the town council felt the need for a covered market. This lovely building first opened in 1870, it was destroyed by the great fire of 1889 however the market rose from the ashes and had an elaborate re opening in 1891!This lovely and historic covered market is located in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the Palace. All the shops, cafes are independent and offer a wide variety of quality products. A unique historic shopping experience just waiting for you to explore. Victorian Market
Highland Archive Centre
This newish addition to Inverness is responsible for collecting, preserving, and making accessible, archives relating to the history of the Highlands. The archive collections at the Highland Archive Centre date from the 14th century to the present day covering the counties of Inverness, Nairn, Ross and Cromarty and Sutherland. You can book an appointment and explore your Highland Family Tree…
Leakey’s Bookshop
You will be spoiled for choice in Leakey’s Bookshop an iconic store in Inverness, Leakey’s Second Hand Bookshop – is Scotland’s largest second hand bookshop with 100,000 selected volumes. The shop is actually a converted church, the huge old Gaelic Church at the end of Church Street, one street back from the river, about 7-9 minutes’ walk from the Inverness Palace Hotel. This is THE place to try in Inverness if you like books, you can enjoy a good browse it is a book lovers paradise!
Explore Inverness City Centre
Inverness is the capital of the Highlands and has a wide array of shops. You will find all your high street favourites however there are quite a few unique choices. The city centre is a mix of historic buildings and modern additions. Make sure to see St Stephen’s Church, Victorian Market, Inverness Town House, walk up Castle Hill and take in the Flora MacDonald Statue.
Inverness Museum & Art Gallery
Inverness Museum only minutes from the Palace in the town centre. This is well worth a visit you can uncover the traditions and crafts of the Highlands. As well as up to date Exhibitions featuring Highland life.
Best Free Historical Things to Do In Inverness
Inverness and it’s surrounding area is steeped in history, Culloden the home of the bloodiest battle fought on UK Soil, Castles ruined by battle, ancient stone monuments and churches there is plenty to see for free.
Clava Cairns
Clava Cairns is a Bronze Age monument used for burials. It comprises of cairns, standing stones and rocks arranged in circles that once housed the dead. Located near Culloden Battlefield, it’s easy to visit Clava Cairns on the same trip. The site is quiet and beautiful, so sit in the tall grass and spend some time imagining the lives of the people buried here more than 4000 years ago and what the various stone arrangements might have signified to them.
Image by Plunkett B
Inverness Castle
The Palace Hotel & Spa is ideally situated opposite Inverness Castle, wake each morning with a stunning view of Inverness Castle and the River Ness. Inverness Castle was built in 1836, on the edge of the cliff, the site of an 11th century defensive structure. The newly opened Inverness Castle Experience is a must-see this spring. Wander through immersive light installations, powerful storytelling rooms and beautifully curated spaces that celebrate Highland culture and history. Don’t forget to read our First Hand Guide to the Inverness Castle Experience before you go, so you don’t miss a thing.
Inverness Cathedral
Also known as St Andrew’s Cathedral, it is the most northerly Cathedral in Scotland. A short walk from the hotel, the cathedral is neo-Gothic style and was built in 1866. It boasts beautiful architecture and stained glass.
Beauly Priory & Ruins
Founded in 1230, local land owner Sir John Bisset invited the French Valliscaulian monks to settle in Beauly and they remained here for over 300 years. until the Protestant Reformation of 1560 brought their cloistered and contemplative life to an abrupt end. Today their legacy lives on, in their pretty, tree-fringed abbey church, the priory is now roofless but otherwise largely intact. It’s a very calm and serene place.
Step back in time exploring this incredibly interesting historic ruin which is set alongside the River Beauly in a pretty woodland setting surrounded by burial stones and tombs reaching over 200 years old. Plus Entry is free. Image by Beauly-Priory-by-geograph-5842615-by-David-Purchase-650-1.jpg
Clootie Well @ Munlochy
Just north of Inverness, located half a mile west of the junction of the B9161 with the A832. Where the A832 enters a forested area the well begins. Clootie wells are places of pilgrimage, people would make offerings in the hope of having an illness cured. The tradition dates back pre christian time to the celts. The arrival of the christian church saw the decline of wells, as the pagan ways were frowned upon. Clootie in scots means a strip of cloth or rag. The nearby trees will be decorated with strips of cloth or rags. The Clootie well at Munlochy, dates back to beyond the time of St. Boniface who worked in Scotland around AD620. Pilgrims would perform a ceremony that involved circling the well sunwise three times before splashing some of its water on the ground and making a prayer. Before tying a piece of cloth or “cloot” that had been in contact with the ill person to a nearby tree. An alternative tradition suggests that sick children may be left at the well to be healed overnight. Today the well has an unusual aura, park you cart in the purpose made parking area about a hundred yards away. Follow the woodland path and you will see the unusual scene, people still believe that an offering will help them or others. Perhaps a visit at sunset will make the experience even more ethereal.
Corrimony Chambered Cairn
The Corrimony Chambered Cairn, is situated in a beautiful glen eight miles west of Drumnadrochit. The cairn is a well preserved ‘Clava type’ burial cairn complete with 11 standing stones. This ancient burial site is thought to be over 4,000 years old and demonstrates the skills and planning of its prehistoric builders.
The cairn at Corrimony would have had a corbelled roof completely enclosing it, which was probably capped with the large slab which now lies on top. The slab is decorated with a series of cup-marks, which are typical of prehistoric rock art.
Excavation of the site revealed traces of a crouched burial, probably a woman, beneath an area of stone floor. No artefacts were found with the burial, but a bone pin was found elsewhere in the cairn.
Stay With Us
Stay at the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, a family owned hotel with a reputation for a warm welcome. As our guest you will enjoy free Wi-fi and free access to the lovely leisure club and swimming pool. Make sure that you check out our Seasonal Specials for your very best offers, plus see the explore section, created to help our guests get the most out of their stay in Inverness. Remember #bookdirect for your best offers. Call our reservations team on 01463 22 32 43 or email us at [email protected] and let your adventure begin.
